Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will have a real headache when selecting his next 23-man squad when the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume next year following a host of solid individual performances.
Sunday World looks at some of the stars that stood out for Broos and Bafana against Nigeria and Zimbabwe:
Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Themba Zwane is a typical example of a footballer who is “ageing like fine wine”, as the midfield maestro continues to show his class and flamboyance every time he steps into the field of play.
Zwane was instrumental for Bafana in their 1-1 draw against the Super Eagles in Uyo and scored a spectacular goal that silenced the Nigerian crowd when he dazzled past their defenders and found the back of the net.
It remains to be seen which player currently has what it takes to hit the ground running and take over the baton from the elegant 34-year-old. Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela in Portugal)
When considering Bafana Bafana’s last two games, particularly the one against Nigeria, one can only imagine the majestic pass Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole produced to set up Zwane’s goal.
That pass was just a cherry on top of Sithole’s consistent performances in Bafana’s green and gold since the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Ivory Coast early this year.
Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
A superstar in his own right, Khuliso Mudau has proven time and time again that he is arguably the best full-back in Africa currently ahead of Paris Saint Germain’s Achraf Hakimi of Morocco.
Mudau picked up from where he left off at Afcon, where he pocketed some of the best African wingers in Europe, when he kept Nigeria’s best player and talk of the town Ademola Lookman at bay.
Despite his shoulder injury, Mudau soldiered on by producing a solid performance and showed that he could “take the bullet” for Broos and Bafana.
Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City)
Debatably the man of the match contender following a commanding display against Zimbabwe, Appollis has without a shadow of a doubt raised his hand and grabbed the opportunity to be selected in the upcoming qualifier matches with both hands.
The 22-year-old speedy winger filled in the shores of the injured Percy Tau perfectly and was a nightmare for the Zim defenders under the bright lights of Free State Stadium.
His highlight was the defence slipping pass from 50 yards to set up Thapelo Morena for Bafana’s third goal that sealed the win against the Warriors.
Siyabonga Ngezana (FCBS in Romania)
Another player who raised his hand and used his first call-up from Broos to the fullest is Siyabonga Ngezana, who was solid as a rock in defence alongside Mothobi Mvala in the two matches.
Ngezana capitalised on the absence of regular starter Grant Kekana, who was withdrawn from the squad due to a hamstring injury.
The Romanian league champion will undoubtedly be one of the players that will give Broos a headache when he selects his next squad when the World Cup qualifiers resume next year.
